Craig Berube would like Bobby McMann to simplify his game, get to blue paint

Bobby McMann has yet to make a significant impact throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube feels McMann can do so if he ensures to simplify his game.

McMann has just one assist throughout the postseason thus far, with his lone assist coming in Game 1 of the first round against the Ottawa Senators. Against the Florida Panthers in the second round, McMann’s ice time has been inconsistent, and in order for him to have ‘his moment’, the Leafs’ bench boss feels he should be sticking to his strengths.

“I think it’s about focusing on two or three things out there,” Berube said via Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis, after Sunday’s morning skate ahead of Game 4. “He’s a great skater, got good speed, big physical player, so for me, it’s about focusing on using your speed, getting in there and arriving on time on the forecheck. Arriving on time at the net. Things like that.”

McMann has been the Maple Leafs’ second-most physical player throughout the playoffs, landing 33 hits in nine games. After scoring 20 goals during his career-best regular season, McMann’s first taste of the playoffs hasn’t gone to plan, at least to this point of Toronto’s Cup run. Berube feels with a simplified approach, good things will happen for his depth winger.

“For me it’s all about wall play, and things like that, for a player like himself,” Berube said. “I think he can get to the net more, he’s going to get his looks from his speed and his shot, but he needs to get around the paint more. I think that’s a big thing for me is getting to the blue paint more.”

McMann is slotted in to play alongside Max Domi and Pontus Holmberg within the Maple Leafs’ bottom six. With Max Pacioretty thriving on the second line, McMann’s in tough to receive a bigger role at this point. It’s going to be important for him to stick to the simple approach, and get the dirty areas of the ice in order to make an impact for the Maple Leafs this postseason.